Attorneys for a former GOP staffer have set a deadline for the Minnesota Senate to settle its case. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Dave Senjem, attorneys for Michael Brodkorb requested the two sides try to reach a settlement.

“Prior to filing a Summons and Complaint in this case in District Court, to save on expenses and avoid unnecessary publicity, I suggest that we sit down for early mediation on this matter in order to try and reach a global settlement,” wrote Brodkorb’s attorney Phil Villaume.

Villaume also said he wanted attorneys representing the Senate to notify him whether they are open to mediation before July 16.

The letter notified the Senate that Brodkorb intends to also sue Senate Secretary Cal Ludeman for invasion of privacy.

“Mr. Brodkorb’s unemployment information is ‘absolutely privileged’ and by releasing said information, Cal Ludeman and the State of Minnesota are liable to Mr. Brodkorb for invasion of privacy.”

Ludeman confirmed to MPR News in April that the Department of Employment and Economic Development rejected Brodkorb’s application for unemployment benefits. He declined comment today. Ludeman has previously said that the Senate will not settle with Brodkorb.

The Notice of Claims was filed yesterday, the same day that Brodkorb met privately with GOP Senate Majority Leader Dave Senjem and Deputy Senate Majority Leader Julianne Ortman. Senjem and Brodkorb declined to say what was discussed at the meeting.

Brodkorb is planning to sue the Senate for wrongful termination, defamation of character and invasion of privacy. He’s seeking at least $500,000 in damages. He claims that he was fired in December for having an affair with Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch even though female staffers who had affairs with their male employers were treated differently. Koch resigned her leadership position after being confronted about the affair. She is not running for re-election.

Brodkorb’s attorneys say they’re waiting for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to weigh in on the matter before they file suit.

Last week the Senate Rules Committee approved $85,000 in taxpayer money to pay for an outside attorney to help prepare for the pending litigation.

About the blogger

Tom Scheck has covered politics and state government for more than ten years for MPR News. He’s covered several gubernatorial campaigns, two statewide recounts, the presidential bids of Tim Pawlenty and Michele Bachmann, U.S. Senate races, close Congressional contests and the Minnesota Legislature. He lives in Falcon Heights with his wife, son and dog. He can sometimes be found chasing a white ball on a golf course. It isn’t a straight walk. Tips are welcome at tscheck@mpr.org

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If Brodkorb was really concerned about “unnecessary publicity”, he might have kept his pants on. Instead, he had an affair with the first woman Senate Majority Leader in Minnesota history and didn’t keep it quiet. How was that not going to generate “unnecessary publicity”? For years Brodkorb complained about greedy trial lawyers, then after his immature and selfish decision, he runs to a trial lawyer and files a lawsuit, claiming he’s a victim. No, Brodkorb is a perpetrator that takes advantage of those around him and is incredibly selfish. Does he deserve more than $500,000 for the marriages he helped destroy? No.

Ralph Crammedin

Republicans created this situation, all by themselves. They should be cleaning up their own mess. Oh wait, the GOP is $2 million in debt. So that explains why the taxpayer should cough up 6 figures for GOP Sen. Amy Koch and GOP hit-man Michael Brodkorb’s fun and games?